newbie strop question

I've read that it is a bad idea to strop before and after every shave. The article I read explained the reasoning as being because there are microscopic bend in edge and stropping again can break them similarly to bending a paperclip back and forth repeatedly. What is the proper care of my new razor? I got it from vintageblades and it was sharpened. I've used it once and stropped it after my shave (I read the article after-the-fact). I have a super OCD side to me that I am pretty sure would bother me greatly if I accidentally cause harm to my new razor.

I strop before my shave, during my shave (sometimes) and after my shave... And between shaves for fun

Never any problems... General thought is that before shaving stropping aligns the edge for smoother passes, and after shaving the stropping (especially the fabric strops) clears microscopic gunk out of the edge's "teeth" and dries the edge, so there's no micro-corosion.

I'm also fairly OCD about it... My bottom line: As long as your technique is solid, strop away!

cheers,
Jeremy

In the drawer where I keep my razor, I also keep a bit
of rag and a small tin of 3-in-one oil.

The last thing I do before putting the razor away is to
apply a drop of oil to the rag, and then wipe the razor
off...especially the edge.

Not sure where you are reading these things, but in these parts its generally mandated to strop before shaving, and acceptable/desirable to strop after shaving.

If you are not going to use that razor for a while after that shave, its also considered common practice to use a drop of camellia oil on both sides of the razor for protection.

If you are a complete newbie and don't know what a shave ready razor looks/feels like, then thats another matter all together, and the recommendation is usually to simply use a freshly honed razor before stropping it for the first time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

I strop before my shave, during my shave (sometimes) and after my shave... And between shaves for fun

Never any problems... General thought is that before shaving stropping aligns the edge for smoother passes, and after shaving the stropping (especially the fabric strops) clears microscopic gunk out of the edge's "teeth" and dries the edge, so there's no micro-corosion.

I'm also fairly OCD about it... My bottom line: As long as your technique is solid, strop away!

cheers,
Jeremy

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I hadn't thought about the cleaning factor of microgunk. I was thinking of buying a doube-sided paddle strop as an intermediary between honings, so I can give my razors a bit of a touch up until I can afford some stones. What is the consensus of this idea?

Hello pkchong79

I too have heard these stories, but like ShavedZombie, I too strop before, during and after shaving and have never had any trouble with my razor or shave.

I strop before an after each shave. 30 fabric and 60 leather before and then 15 fabric and 30 leather afterwards.

The process a razors edge undergoes when stropped is called burnishing and I find that this is the best way to think of stropping, rather than aligning teeth or anything like that. There may well be an element of that, but I find that explanation creates more confusion than it solves..!

The stropping afterwards also cleans off any microgunk and helps prevent corrosion.

Hope that helps!

Think of it this way.....

If the strop did damage then why did everyone for the past 150 years use it?

wow..strop during..meh I guess if it works..away ya go!

I go b4 and after


pcdad

I strop before and a light strop after, mostly to ensure it is dry before I apply oil. Going on 10 months with a problem.

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Originally Posted by Convert

Going on 10 months with a problem.

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Really? That's so unfortunate.;)

I never felt the need to strop after shaves. 40 linen and 80 leather before every shave, and I am happy with the results, and are many others.

New guy here with a new razor - i want to make sure i don't hurt either the razor or strop. i pull it tight but how hard should I push down n the razor?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bassmantweed

New guy here with a new razor - i want to make sure i don't hurt either the razor or strop. i pull it tight but how hard should I push down n the razor?

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My strop deflects 1/2" - 1" at the center of the strop while stropping . Works for me.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bassmantweed

New guy here with a new razor - i want to make sure i don't hurt either the razor or strop. i pull it tight but how hard should I push down n the razor?

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Hold the strop tight enough just to keep it taught. Hold the razor firmly but lightly on the strop and strop with long slow actions until you become more comfortable with it, then you can speed things up a bit.

Based on what I've read here, about all the pressure you want on the strop is the weight of the razor itself. I keep the strop really taut and let the blade glide across with the edge in light contact. Seems to work great. I think you generaly want less deflection, rather than more. If you haven't done so, you might check the beginner's guide in the Wiki.

I strop before and after I shave and it seems to work well. I also strop when I have some extra time just to get some practice. I pull my strop very tight and use no pressure at all.